CBT News

Biden pushes tariffs on Chinese imports, Cruise restarts robotaxi services in Arizona, Massachusetts attorney general takes ride-hailing giants to court

How dealers can maximize customer experience with strategies to improve transaction process – Adam Marburger

Former general manager shares universal business principles in new book – Glenn Lundy

Lotlinx launches inaugural Vincensus report

Lotlinx, a VIN-specific data company for dealership inventory management, has introduced its Quarterly Vincensus Report. This report is a comprehensive monthly/quarterly inventory analysis tool that provides insights into OEM-specific and dealership inventory trends for new and used vehicles, including data on pricing and markdowns. The Vincensus Report serves as a benchmarking tool for dealers, showing how each OEM performs relative to industry standards. It offers visibility into buyer demand and tracks inventory changes monthly/quarterly, helping dealers gauge their performance against competitors and make informed decisions based on market trends. According to data from the inaugural report, at the end of the...

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NHTSA initiates investigation into Waymo self-driving vehicles

May 14, 2024

On Tuesday, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it has launched an investigation into the performance of Alphabet's Waymo self-driving...

Massachusetts attorney general takes Uber and Lyft to trial over driver classification

May 14, 2024

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has brought Uber Technologies and Lyft to trial over allegations of misclassifying drivers as independent contractors. The trial...

Cruise to relaunch driverless service in Phoenix, after safety enhancements

May 14, 2024

General Motors' self-driving car subsidiary, Cruise, is preparing to relaunch its driverless robotaxi service in Phoenix, Arizona. Following a hiatus due to an incident...

New Car Sales

Consumer demand shifts towards smaller vehicles due to affordability concerns – Charlie Chesbrough | Cox Automotive

CBT Now Jaelyn Campbell - May 13, 2024

Discover AI’s impact on the industry and what it means for your privacy/security – Lizz Callaway | Microsoft Autos

Inside Automotive Jaelyn Campbell - May 9, 2024 0

We've seen the expanding role of AI in our daily lives as well as within the retail automotive industry. On the latest episode of...

Elevate and educate: taking your service and sales coaching to the next level

Loyalty Based Strategies Colin Velez - April 23, 2024 0

Welcome to another episode of Loyalty-Based Sales Strategies on CBT News with host Jen Suzuki, president of eDealer Solutions, sales coaching veteran, and NADA...

Diversifying your dealership technology tool kit – Eric Schlesinger | ActivEngage

Kain & Co. Colin Velez - April 5, 2024 0

On the latest episode of Kain & Co., host David Kain sits down with Eric Schlesinger, chief revenue officer at ActivEngage, to discuss how dealership...

Dealership Management

Former general manager shares universal business principles in new book – Glenn Lundy

CBT Now Jaelyn Campbell - May 14, 2024

How real-time data is empowering dealers to manage inventory more efficiently

Articles Patrick McMullen - May 9, 2024 0

In today’s market, stocking your dealership’s lot with the right inventory is crucial and has a direct impact on overall dealership profits and success...

How salespeople can achieve their goals while maintaining a positive outlook – Matt Easton | Easton University

Inside Automotive Jaelyn Campbell - May 8, 2024 0

It is an election year, and with that comes a lot of uncertainty, especially regarding the economy. It is also what Matt Easton, the...

6 key mental muscles for leaders in the dealership – Scott Mautz

Inside Automotive Jaelyn Campbell - April 23, 2024 0

As a leader, it's no secret that you're going to face challenges, and you're going to be truly tested when things get tough. In...

Dealer Interviews

The importance of customer service, growth, and community engagement – Jeff Rosen | Rosen Automotive Group

Inside Automotive Jaelyn Campbell - May 13, 2024 0

Tom Maoli reveals insight into market trends, political implications, and business strategies

Inside Automotive Jaelyn Campbell - May 6, 2024 0

According to Edmunds, BMW led U.S. luxury sales in the first quarter. As elections quickly approach, what implications will they have for the high-end...

Leveraging opportunities to boost diversity in the automotive sector — Ashlee Church | Volkswagen of Marion

Inside Automotive Colin Velez - March 27, 2024 0

Success in the automotive sector is often assessed based on numbers alone, meaning whoever has the most sales is considered the best at the...

How dealerships are improving the customer experience — Gary Barbera | Barbera’s Autoland

Inside Automotive Colin Velez - March 25, 2024 0

With the rapid onslaught of innovation, technological advancement, and shifts in consumer preferences, dealerships must work harder than ever to stay on top of...

Pre-owned

Navigating trade-in objections: why slow and steady win the race — Sean Gardner | Joe Verde Group

CBT Now Colin Velez - May 7, 2024 0

4 things dealers are keeping top of mind this year

Pre-Owned Sales / Remarketing Randy Barone, Vice President, Business Development at ACV - May 2, 2024 0

2024 offers a glimmer of hope for auto dealers navigating the tricky terrain of used car sales, despite lingering market uncertainties and a notable...

Does America have a used EV problem – or opportunity?

Articles Liz Najman - April 17, 2024 0

In the US, there are two used cars on the road for every new one. Pre-owned auto sales is big business. Plummeting prices, soaring...

Depreciation study shows EVs lose value fastest – Karl Brauer | iSeecars

Inside Automotive Jaelyn Campbell - April 15, 2024 0

A study by iSeecars.com sheds insight on cars that lose the most value after just one year and those that retain the most value....

Fixed Ops

Cox Automotive’s Flying Doctor Program leads the charge in EV integration and safety – Brandon Carter

Inside Automotive Jaelyn Campbell - May 10, 2024 0

Using AI to drive more fixed ops revenue

Fixed-Ops David Goldberg - May 2, 2024 0

The fixed ops department is the lifeblood of most dealerships. But this vital profit center continuously faces challenges from rising customer expectations, ever-changing vehicle...

Service department analysis paralysis. how to make a decision and move forward

Fixed-Ops John Fairchild - April 22, 2024 0

Service operations generate mountains of data associated with the performance of the department. Leaders can and do devote a lengthy amount of time and...

Mobile service startups transform car service, capturing dealership attention

Fixed-Ops CBT News - March 26, 2024 0

A wave of innovative startups is challenging the status quo by offering mobile repairs and maintenance for cars just about anywhere. These disruptors have...

Automotive Marketing

What’s worth it on third party listing sites?

Articles Ben Stewart - May 14, 2024 0

4 ways to incorporate QR codes into your dealership marketing strategy

Automotive Marketing Ben Stewart - May 2, 2024 0

We are sure you've seen these little grids on posters or mail pieces. These are QR codes, and they are rather versatile and straightforward...

Auditing your marketing process to elevate the customer experience — Glenn Pasch | PCG Digital

Inside Automotive Colin Velez - April 11, 2024 0

On this episode of Inside Automotive, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Glenn Pasch, auto marketing expert and CEO of PCG Digital, to discuss...

De-mistifying dealership defection rates — Eric DeMont | Urban Science

Driving Solutions Colin Velez - April 4, 2024 0

Defection rates deliver vital information to dealers, allowing them to identify how many customers took their business elsewhere while measuring the impact of retention...

Association News

Educating the public on the strengths of franchised dealerships — Coulter McMahen | LADA

CBT Now Colin Velez - May 4, 2024 0

Are Honda and Volkswagen betting against the franchise model? — John Devlin | Automotive Trade Association Executives

Inside Automotive Colin Velez - May 3, 2024 0

Dealers have grown increasingly worried that automakers such as Volkswagen and Honda will choose to sell their upcoming electric vehicles through a direct-sales system rather than...

How dealers are leading the charge on electrification — Mike Stanton | NADA

Inside Automotive Colin Velez - March 18, 2024 0

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has long been a pillar of support and guidance for auto dealers across the country. As the industry...

NADA appoints new senior advocacy staff members

Articles Jaelyn Campbell - February 21, 2024 0

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has declared several changes to its leadership team, including appointing an executive vice president for public policy. The...

Automotive Industry Trends

AIADA leaders discuss concerns and advancements in EV transition – Cody Lusk & Anthony Brownlee

Inside Automotive Jaelyn Campbell - May 7, 2024 0

Beyond Reach: How new car prices are leaving consumers behind

Articles Steve Mitchell - May 2, 2024 0

What if you could predict the future? Imagine if that prediction wasn't based on some crystal ball but rather on a keen observation of...

CarGurus’ Q1 2024 report: rebounding inventory and demand pose affordability questions – Kevin Roberts

Inside Automotive Jaelyn Campbell - May 1, 2024 0

According to the CarGurus' Q1 2024 Report, inventory and demand are rebounding, but where does that leave affordability? On today's episode of Inside Automotive, Kevin...

Silicon Valley Update: The Road to Autonomy – A Journey Through the Streets of San Francisco

Articles Zach Klempf - April 26, 2024 0

In the heart of Silicon Valley, the future of mobility is unfolding before our very eyes, painting the streets of San Francisco with the...

Mergers & Acquisitions

Ryan Kerrigan unveils global automotive M&A dynamics and EV realities

Inside Automotive Jaelyn Campbell - May 2, 2024 0

automotiveMastermind integrates Mastermind technology with Tekion to enhance real-time insights for dealers

Mergers and Acquisitions Jaelyn Campbell - April 24, 2024 0

automotiveMastermind, a trusted data and technology provider in the automotive industry, integrated its Mastermind technology with Tekion, the innovator of the Automotive Retail Cloud...

The dos and don’ts of dealership M&A, for sellers — Sheldon Sandler | Bel Air Partners

Driving Solutions Colin Velez - April 9, 2024 0

The dealership M&A (mergers and acquisitions) sector has seen high levels of activity in recent years as the retail automotive industry has adjusted to...

Holman acquires Leith Automotive Group in its biggest retail acquisition yet

Articles Jaelyn Campbell - March 20, 2024 0

Holman, a leading global automotive services provider, has acquired Leith Automotive Group, headquartered in North Carolina. This marks Holman's biggest retail acquisition in its...

F&I

How dealers can maximize customer experience with strategies to improve transaction process – Adam Marburger

Inside Automotive Jaelyn Campbell - May 14, 2024 0

How e-titling is changing the future of dealership F&I

Power Lunch Colin Velez - April 25, 2024 0

E-titling is a revolutionary new system that gives dealers control over the registration process while improving both data security and cost efficiency. On this episode of...

Take back control of your dealership’s auto loan process

CBT Now Colin Velez - April 22, 2024 0

On this episode of CBT Now, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Steve Burke, CEO of Agora Data, and Becky Chernek, finance and insurance...

Digital Finance: Consumer Expectations and Today’s Digital Retail Reality

Digital Retailing Pete MacInnis, founder and CEO of eLEND Solutions - April 4, 2024 0

In last month’s article, “From the Fax Machine, to the future: Auto Finance Disruption Time is Here,” I revealed data that demonstrated how overdue...

Recruitment

Why every car dealership needs an upskill plan for their staff

Recruitment Chanell Turner - May 1, 2024 0

How dealerships can win the talent war in fixed operations

Recruitment Dave Foy, Vice President of Fixed Ops Training for OEM Interactive - February 29, 2024 0

In an industry as challenging and complex as fixed operations, attracting and retaining top-tier talent is not just a goal—it's a necessity. The landscape...

How proactive hiring can transform your dealership – Adam Robinson | Hireology

Inside Automotive Jaelyn Campbell - February 28, 2024 0

Are you struggling to fill roles at your dealership? If so, then you're not alone. According to a recent report by Hireology, most dealers...

Why you should revisit your talent acquisition process in 2024 — Adam Robinson | Hireology

Inside Automotive Colin Velez - January 15, 2024 0

Dealership methods of talent acquisition and retention have become increasingly outdated, not only in how retailers identify candidates but also in how they keep...

Customer Experience

Car buyers rejoice as ease of purchase sets new record

Articles Colin Velez - March 19, 2024 0

Want a better customer experience? Build a better work environment — Shep Hyken

Inside Automotive Colin Velez - March 18, 2024 0

Dealers know how crucial it is to provide an exceptional customer experience. But in pursuing high standards of service, many find themselves forgetting an...

Decoding the future of car buying with transparency – Katie the Car Lady

Inside Automotive Jaelyn Campbell - March 1, 2024 0

For over two decades, Katie the Car Lady has championed consumer rights, earning her reputation as a beacon of transparency and expertise in the...

Automotive brand loyalty winners fend off retention woes in 2023

Articles Colin Velez - February 26, 2024 0

Brand loyalty remains a critical factor in automotive marketing but has been declining for several years, making events such as S&P Global Mobility's Annual...